As part of Al Akhawayn University’s commitment to engaging with its socio-economic environment in the Province of Ifrane and the wider Middle Atlas region, the Azrou Center for Community Development (ACCD) organized certified training sessions from October 15 to 18, 2025, in collaboration with key local and international partners.
These immersive workshops aimed to strengthen the skills of project mentors supporting impact-driven initiatives and to rethink approaches to social entrepreneurship in territories undergoing transition. The program was implemented under a collaboration agreement between the ACCD and the Belgian NGO Echos Communication, alongside the Provincial ANAPEC Agency in Azrou and the Provincial Association for Economic and Social Development in Ifrane.
This intensive training brought together 30 participants, including representatives of local associations, cooperatives, students with project ideas, and researchers in the field of social and solidarity economy . The initiative sought to reinforce social entrepreneurial capacities within the region, emphasizing that social and solidarity economy is no longer considered a marginal sector, but rather a key driver of job creation, local resource development, and social cohesion.
Encouraging the growth of cooperatives, social enterprises, and impact-oriented initiatives is especially crucial in rural and peri-urban areas, where such projects often serve as engines of economic vitality and social innovation.
The sessions were led by experienced trainers and experts from Echos Communication, Cooplus Association, and the organizations Perform Up and IncubUp.